James L. Brooks

James L. Brooks is an American filmmaker known for influential television comedies and acclaimed feature films. Born in Brooklyn and raised in North Bergen, New Jersey, he began as an usher at CBS and moved into writing for the network's news broadcasts. In 1965 he relocated to Los Angeles for documentary work, then created the series Room 222. With Allan Burns he developed The Mary Tyler Moore Show in 1970, along with spin-offs Rhoda and Lou Grant, and he co-created Taxi. His first feature as writer and co-producer was Starting Over (1979). He went on to write, produce and direct Terms of Endearment (1983), winning Academy Awards as its producer, director, and writer, and later directed Broadcast News (1987) and As Good as It Gets (1997). He founded Gracie Films in 1986 and co-developed The Simpsons. He has won 22 Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and three Academy Awards.